The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, (NAF), has set up a committee to compile all allegations of accidental air strikes on civilians and the circumstances leading to such accidents. Spokesman of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.
The statement said, the committee is expected to proffer far-reaching measures that would mitigate future incidences of collateral damages on civilians during Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations.
According to the statement, the Airforce Chief stated this at the opening ceremony of the 2022 Air Operations Seminar in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Amao explained that the investigation further aims at promoting accountability; valuable lessons leaned by NAF in order to avoid similar cases in the future as well as take extra measures to minimize civilians harm and casualties in conflict areas.
The Airforce Chief congratulated the 17 young pilots winged during the event and implored them to be prepared for the arduous task ahead.
Amao urged the young pilots to always adhere to laid down rules of engagement while also taking all necessary steps to protect civilians and minimize civilian casualties during operations.
He said, “The efforts to mitigate civilian casualties are not just a reflection of NAF values as a Service, but also strategically imperative to our operations.”
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria have made significant gains in curtailing and degrading the resources and capabilities of miscreants that seek to destabilize the nation.
Amao In commended the efforts of the NAF at unleashing the coercive effects of air power, particularly on terrorists through intensive air interdiction of their locations and facilities.
He said these punitive strikes have degraded the resources of the criminals and disrupted their supply lines as well as denied them their freedom of movement.
Amao said the operations seminar, with the theme: “Harnessing Nigerian Air Force Combat Experience in Joint Military Operations for Doctrinal Development,” was borne out of the need to draw instructions from the diverse and rich air combat experiences towards the development of sound doctrinal principles to guide future engagements.
In his address at the occasion, the Akwa Ibom state governor, Udom Emmanuel, said the NAF has lived up to its statutory responsibilities and objectives over the years, considering its successful exploits in Sierra Leone, Liberia, The Gambia and Mali which accorded great international recognition to Nigeria.
He the NAF under the leadership of Amao has further given the Nigerian state a sense of hope and security.
